News and Reviews: November 30, 2017

Thursday 30 November 2017.
Phil Collins tour rehearsals took place at LH2 Studios in Park Royal/Acton , West London.
This was the same venue that The Rolling Stones used.
I was at Hammersmith Odeon in 1982 for two of the four Phil Collins shows there on his first ever solo tour.

Thursday 30 November 2017.
Happy Birthday to Billy Idol who is 62 today.

Wednesday 29 November 2017...6.15pm to 9pm...
BLUEBIRD CHRISTMAS PARTY - 350 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3.
Just two minutes away at no 430 Kings Road was the clothes shop where
THE SEX PISTOLS formed in the mid 1970s.
Glen Matlock worked there and Steve Jones & Paul Cook would go in there and nick some clothes.
It is still there but under the new name - Worlds End...I think it is still owned by Vivienne Westwood.
Bluebird is a popular hangout for the Chelsea types.
The Bluebird Café offers a sanctuary from the bustle of the King’s Road.
Kickstart your day with a classic breakfast, eat lunch alfresco or wind down with our all day dining menu.
From weekday healthy breakfasts, working lunches, tiny tea with the little ones, pre-movie night dinner or letting your hair down with cocktails and bites at the weekend; the café boasts something for everyone. Just out from the café is the courtyard and undoubtedly Chelsea’s best terrace spot!
Around 150 guests outside in the courtyard but there are loads of heaters and we are undercover.
There was a dj playing tunes and a live sax player playing along.
Complimentary prosecco, vodka & amaretto cocktails, mulled wines along with lobster rolls, sausage rolls,
canapés , gingerbread men, mince pies and roasted chestnuts for all guests.
www.bluebird-restaurant.co.ukVisit the Bluebird website here for more info.

Tuesday 28 November 2017....I went to two events today...
1pm to 4pm.
WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF 2017 at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, St James's, London SW1.
Around 150 guests here in the main space at the BAFTA building.
BBC tv sports presenter John Inverdale is presenting today.
Also here were BBC broadcasters Danny Kelly and Mark Lawson and ex jockey Declan Murphy.
131 sports books were put forward and 7 have been shortlisted.
As it's the 29th year it's been held the winner gets a £29,000 prize.
From 2.15pm to 3pm John Inverdale had a chat for a few mins with each of the 7 shortlisted authors.
1.The Greatest Winner (about Bela Guttmann the Benfica football coach in the early 1960s)
2.Muhammed Ali : A Life (about the legendary boxer with over 500 interviews)
3.Quiet Genius (about legendary Liverpool F.C. manager Bob Paisley)
4.Swell : A Waterbiography (about the history of women's swimming)
5.Tom Simpson (about the legendary cyclist from the 1960s) WINNER
6.Centaur (about jockey Declan Murphy and his terrible injury and his speedy recovery)
7.Breaking Ground (about the history of Bradford Park Avenue football club)
All guests could take a complimentary book so I took the winning book which is a really
nice coffee table sized hardback with stunning photos from the 1960s.
RRP is £36 but Amazon are selling it for £25.
Complimentary Taittinger champers, wines and tasty canapés for all guests.
then
6.45pm to 9.45pm.
CLARIDGE'S HOTEL - Christmas Tree Unveiling Party - Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Last year i chatted with Nick Mason from Pink Floyd at this party.
Over 200 guests here at this famous five star hotel that many A List musicians and actors stay at.
Gemma Arterton, Trinny Woodall and Claudia Winkleman soaked up the festive cheer as they joined fashion figures Erin O'Connor, Christopher Kane, Sir Paul Smith, Jade Jagger, Sam McKnight and Katie Grand to celebrate the unveiling of Claridge's iconic Christmas Tree.
This year the inverted tree with silvered roots at the top was designed by a notably absent Karl Lagerfeld.
Other guests here included Chloe Delevingne, Clara Paget and Lady Mary Charteris.
Complimentary Laurent-Perrier champers , some yummy Bourbon Milk Punch Cocktails that were
named Choupette's Milk...also wines and canapés.
Choupette is the name of Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat.

Monday 27 November 2017...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.45pm
THE MAYFAIR AWARDS 2017 at The Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London W1.
Around 250 smartly dressed folks here at this awards event that celebrates the best hotels,
bars,restaurants, galleries,boutiques etc in the Mayfair area.
I have visited most of the shortlisted venues.
We are welcomed by violinists and a three man tenor act singing some opera.
Around a dozen awards presented from 7.30pm to 7.55pm.
Presenting the awards is Mark-Francis Vandelli (one of the Made In Chelsea originals ).
Channel 4 tv First Dates host is here – the French, bearded, love guru that is maître d‘ Fred Sirieix.
His restaurant Galvin at Windows at the top of The Hilton Hotel, Park Lane won an award.
Other guests included Lady Colin Campbell.
Nice to see Maddox Gallery get the Best Gallery Award.
The Ritz Hotel won Best Hotel (no surprise as the five Mayfair Awards before this were held there)
My fave bar , 45 Jermyn Street was shortlisted but did not win.
Complimentary Billecart-Salmon champers, a choice of three Eden Mill Gin Cocktails and canapés.
I got a couple of nice goodie bags with several items in each.
www.themayfairawards.co.ukVisit their website here for a full list of this years winners and previous years winners.
then
PHIL COLLINS live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
I arrived at the interval to see the second set only as i was at the Mayfair Awards event earlier.
Yesterday was a perfect view in the stalls left with a 9pm view.
Tonight i am way up in the gallery standing but the view is better than expected.
Phil arrives on stage a few minutes earlier tonight at 9.35pm
It is pretty much the same including the banter from Phil between songs.
The four man brass section were incredible on many songs.
Loads of hits with the crowd all up and dancing.
Great stuff.
Set 2:
Drum Duet (Nic Collins & Louis Conte)
I Don't Care Anymore
Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
You Know What I Mean (Nic Collins on piano) (father & son duet)
In the Air Tonight ( dramatic atmosphere keys & vocoder intro)
In the Air Tonight
You Can't Hurry Love (The Supremes cover)
Dance Into the Light
Invisible Touch (Genesis song)
Easy Lover (Philip Bailey cover)
Sussudio
Encore:
Take Me Home

Monday 27 November 2017.
JIMI HENDRIX would have been 75 today.

Sunday 26 November 2017.
PHIL COLLINS live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Phil Collins plays the first of two sold out shows at this iconic venue.
I saw two of his shows in June 2017 at this venue earlier in the year.
These are the two shows that were postponed after he had a fall in his hotel room.
Back surgery has left his legs “buggered”, so he’ll be sitting throughout the show again.
I also saw him outdoors in Hyde Park with Blondie as the support but indoors at The RAH is much better.
Phil Collins was one of the biggest solo acts in the world in the 1980s so expect plenty of hits
from that era and a couple of tracks from his other band Genesis.
As a solo artist Phil Collins has had 27 Top 40 hits in the UK including three number ones
Genesis were also massive in the 1980s as in 1987 they played four nights at Wembley Stadium.
Phil now aged 66 was the only performer to appear on both sides of the Atlantic during the historic Live Aid
concerts in 1985 at Wembley Stadium (solo) and Philadelphia (drumming with Led Zeppelin).
He famously took a flight on Concorde to get there in time.
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PHIL COLLINS and his top notch band were on for around 2 hours 10 mins over two sets of 65 mins.
This was one song shorter than the setlist in June here as Phil has dropped the Vera Lynn encore
which was the only song where he actually stood up by a piano.
It was the same stunning stage production as back in June.
One big screen showing live gig footage and old videos and one lower screen that wrapped around
the back of the stage equipment and showed pre-recorded images.
Phil still looks a bit frail with a walking stick but he is determined to enjoy himself as he sits on a stool.
Great to see that Phil still has his very dry sense of humour.
For some songs there are 15 people on stage as there are four backing singers and a superb four piece horn section.
The show is nicely paced with mainly ballads in the first half then livelier gems in the second half.
His band included his 16 year old son Nic on drums...yes only 16 but he was a revelation.
Sitting behind a massive kit he got big cheers during the band introductions and when
he played piano as his dad sat next to him singing 'You Know What I Mean' it was very emotional.
A stunning 'In The Air Tonight' with uplighting on Phil was a big highlight.
Folks got up and danced in the second half when the uptempo songs kicked in.
Some ticker-tape over the crowd for 'Sussudio' at the end of the main set.
Lesser men would have hidden away and avoided performing in his condition when he doesn't need
the money but it was really great to see Phil playing live again.
The second half was pretty much live music perfection as one big hit after the other was rolled out.
During the second half , Phil was pretty much the only person sitting down.
An excellent show.
Full Phil Collins setlist played tonight...
Set 1:
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Another Day in Paradise
One More Night
Wake Up Call
Follow You Follow Me (Genesis song)
Can't Turn Back the Years
I Missed Again
Hang in Long Enough (Followed by Band Introductions)
Separate Lives (Stephen Bishop cover)
Only You Know and I Know
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Intermission (Funny fake TV commercials on the big screen)
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Set 2:
Drum Duet (Nic Collins & Louis Conte)
I Don't Care Anymore
Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
You Know What I Mean (Nic Collins on piano) (father & son duet)
In the Air Tonight ( dramatic atmosphere keys & vocoder intro)
In the Air Tonight
You Can't Hurry Love (The Supremes cover)
Dance Into the Light
Invisible Touch (Genesis song)
Easy Lover (Philip Bailey cover)
Sussudio
Encore:
Take Me Home

Sunday 26 November 2017.
41 years ago today on 26 Nov 1976 one of the greatest singles of all time was released.
The Sex Pistols 'Anarchy in the UK'...play it LOUD today...
I bought it on the first day of release with the all black paper cover.

Saturday 25 November 2017.
JOOLS HOLLAND and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra + Lewis & Leigh live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Jools plays the second of two shows at this venue on his usual UK Winter tour.
Musical virtuoso and legendary television presenter Jools Holland and his much loved Rhythm & Blues Orchestra return to the Royal Albert Hall, for two nights of his trademark boogie-woogie party!
Master of ceremonies for the shows, Jools, will be performing tracks spanning his entire solo career along with pieces taken from his recent instrumental album Piano, released in December 2016, as well as songs from his new collaboration with José Feliciano.
Joining the band on stage will be fan favourites Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Beth Rowley on vocals, plus Grammy Award winner José Feliciano, one of the most prominent stars in Latin America and revered musicians in the world.
Jools Holland & Jose Feliciano released an album 'As You See Me Now' on 17 Nov 2017.
I saw Jose Feliciano at The Jazz Cafe in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
I saw Jools and his band at this venue a few years ago but I have mainly come this year to see guitar legend
Jose Feliciano (now aged 72) play a few songs with him.
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Tonight is totally rammed sold out with choir seats behind the stage and gallery standing all sold out.
LEWIS & LEIGH arrive on stage at 7.30pm and play for 30 mins.
Lewis & Leigh – Al Lewis from Wales and Alva Leigh from Mississippi – released their debut album ‘Ghost’ (Celticana Records) on August 26th 2016 to critical acclaim in the UK & Germany.
Just the two of them with an acoustic guitar for a decent enough set.
JOOLS HOLLAND and his band arrive on stage at 8.25pm and play for two hours.
There are a lot of people on stage...sometimes 18 or 19...including brass section and singers.
We have a big screen showing close ups of Jools piano playing and other band members.
Jools was his usual self as he chatted between the songs to the crowd.
Definitely one of those crowds that were keen to have a good time.
Jools and the band played half a dozen boogie woogie type songs then the guest singers came on.
Beth Rowley sung a couple then Louise Marshall sang a couple with the band.
JOSE FELICIANO came on to sing and play guitar for six songs with the band which was great to see.
His set included...
California Dreamin' (The Mamas & the Papas cover)
Let's Find Each Other Tonight
Feliz Navidad
As You See Me Now
Light My Fire (The Doors cover) ( a Top 10 hit for Jose in the UK in 1968)
The big voice of RUBY TURNER got everyone up and dancing for the last 30 mins of the set.
Encore..
All guest singers including Jose Feliciano on stage together with the band for covers of...
Enjoy Yourself (it's later than you think)
Hit the Road, Jack
-------------------------
An enjoyable show.

Friday 24 November 2017.
BLACK FRIDAY TICKET OFFERS.
While they always do theatre and comedy promotions there are a couple of gigs that have special offers.
including...
Status Quo at Hammersmith Apollo on Fri 08 December....tickets at half price...
Could be for today only so snap them up pronto if you like a bit of The Quo.

Thursday 23 November 2017.
DEEP PURPLE + EUROPE + CATS IN SPACE live at The 02 Arena, London.
Deep Purple final show on their European Tour to promote recent album 'Infinite'.
I have seen Deep Purple around 20 times since 1974.
The first time was --- Deep Purple + Elf Hammersmith Odeon, London 09.05.1974
The 1974 tour was in support of new album "Burn"with great live line up of Richie Blackmore and David Coverdale .
Ronnie James Dio was the singer in the support band.
I have seen Europe several times including the time 'The Final Countdown' was a big hit in the UK charts.
First band on , Cats in Space are a newish rock band who are hotly tipped for big success.
------------------------------
A very nice three band rock package from promoters AEG.
Half a dozen blocks upstairs in Level 4 are unsold but it's still a very big crowd.
Sitting near us is Iron Maiden drummer Nico McBrain.
CATS IN SPACE arrived on stage at 7pm and played for around 30 mins.
They are given a tiny space at the front of stage, the six of them spread out across the stage and the singer
has to stand to the side of the drummer as there was no space in front of the kit.
A great short set featuring the best tracks from their two albums.
More melodic rock than hard rock with great harmonies and really catchy tunes.
The sound on stage was perfect...indeed all three bands had perfect on stage sound.
I look forward to seeing them play a longer headline set in the future.
Full setlist played tonight...
Too Many Gods
Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Timebomb
Greatest Story Never Told
Five Minute Celebrity
----------------------------
EUROPE arrived on stage at 7.50pm and played for around 60 mins.
Singer Joey Tempest still looks a proper rock star with his full mane of glossy hair.
Lots of their female fans are down the front swooning over him.
They played a few good tracks from their recent album 'Walk the Earth' and a few older gems
and ended with a mega version of their anthem ' The Final Countdown'.
A really good set.
Full setlist played tonight...
Walk the Earth
The Siege
Rock the Night
Last Look at Eden
Election Day
Superstitious
Carrie
Scream of Anger
War of Kings
Hole in My Pocket
Days of Rock 'n' Roll
The Final Countdown
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DEEP PURPLE arrived on stage at 9.20pm and played for around 1 hour 40 mins.
They have three big screens which are used perfectly , mixing live gig footage along with neat images.
Two side screens and a massive one all along the back of the stage.
Best bit was a close up of Don Airy's keyboard playing with some super fast fingers.
They play a few tracks off the new album and the usual bunch of older classics.
As usual there are plenty of band solos to give other members a breather.
For their anthem 'Smoke On The Water' they were joined by the guitarist from Europe.
A great show.
Full Deep Purple setlist played tonight...
Time for Bedlam
Fireball
Bloodsucker
All I Got Is You
Uncommon Man (dedicated to Jon Lord)
The Surprising
Lazy (Preceded by Keyboard solo)
Birds of Prey
Knocking at Your Back Door
Keyboard Solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin'
Smoke on the Water (with John Norum - guitarist in Europe)
Encore:
Peter Gunn (Henry Mancini cover)
Hush (Joe South cover)
Bass Solo (with drums accompaniment)
Black Night

Wednesday 22 November 2017.
IMELDA MAY + ANDREYA TRIANA live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Imelda has had great success this year with her recent album 'Life Love Flesh Blood'.
'Life Love Flesh Blood' is the fifth studio album recorded by Irish singer Imelda May. It was released on 7 April 2017, through Decca Records, as a follow-up to Tribal (2014). May collaborated with American musician T Bone Burnett on the record, who was the sole producer on the album. Throughout the creative process, May received guidance from U2 vocalist Bono. The album followed May's divorce from guitarist Darrel Higham, which influenced many of the lyrical themes featured on the record. Life Love Flesh Blood features soft rock and acoustic styles, which differed significantly from her previous rockabilly genre.
I went to the launch party gig for the album at Ronnie Scott's in Nov 2016 where Jeff Beck came on stage.
Imelda May new single 'Call Me' featuring Jack Savoretti out this Friday 24 Nov.
This is what the critics said about the album...
“This is the unmistakeable sound of an artist finally, thrillingly, finding her own voice”
**** Evening Standard
“11 strong songs which ache, break, and twang as craftily as they do sincerely"
**** Q
“This is a triumphant rebirth”
**** Daily Mirror
“It’s a hugely effective, beautifully crafted reboot that should open up new audiences and point to future triumphs”
**** The Sun
“An album that wears its heart on its sleeve”
**** Daily Mail
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Random sightings...Led Zep guitar legend JIMMY PAGE was on the same train as me that pulled in to
Paddington around 6pm and not one person recognised him under his beanie hat....he was with two others.
Support act ANDREYA TRIANA arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played for 30 mins.
She had a good jazzy blues voice and was backed by a guitarist.
She played tracks from her two albums and a cover of 'Sweet Dreams'.
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I saw comedian & tv presenter ALAN CARR here during the interval.
-----------------------------
IMELDA MAY arrives on stage at 8.45pm and played a full two hour set.
A nice minimal stage production gave the show an intimate feel.
Imelda has a top notch band behind her along with two female backing singers.
Her warm Irish personality is great and she wears two black figure hugging dresses and her new look
has a bit of a nod to a younger Chrissie Hynde....and her vocals are still stunning.
DAMIEN DEMPSEY sung a song with her early on.
RONNIE WOOD and SIR BOB GELDOF both came on for a couple of songs near the end.
Being a Dublin girl , Imelda is good mates with U2 and was watching them in Paris the day before the
Bataclan venue terrorist attack and gave a nice speech about how we should be nicer to each other and
got everyone to introduce themselves to the folks sitting next to them.
Three members of her record company Universal were killed at Bataclan.
A nicely paced set with slower and mid paced songs then everyone up and dancing for the last 30 mins.
Loads of great songs played tonight.
Full setlist played tonight...
Call Me
When It's My Time
Human
Sixth Sense
Big Big Love (with Damien Dempsey)
Big Bad Handsome Man
Bad Habit
Black Tears
Love and Fear
Flesh and Blood
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2 cover) ( performed on b stage)
Inside Out (performed on b stage)
Molly Malone (performed on b stage)
The Girl I Used To Be (performed on b stage)
The Longing
Leave Me Lonely
Should've Been You
Mayhem
Rollin' and Tumblin' (with Ronnie Wood and Sir Bob Geldof)
I'm Crying (The Animals cover) (with Ronnie Wood and Sir Bob Geldof)
Johnny Got a Boom Boom
Encore:
Game Changer/ Teenage Kicks (The Undertones cover) (with Sir Bob Geldof)

Wednesday 22 November 2017.
Very sad news that 70's teen pop idol DAVID CASSIDY has passed away aged 67.
The Partridge Family star passes away surrounded by loved ones after suffering ‘organ failure’
Singer's family confirmed David had passed away after he was admitted to hospital following
multiple organ failure due to drink problems in the past and he recently admitted he had dementia.
He was the Harry Styles of his day....all the girls had posters of him on their walls.
I saw David Cassidy hysteria first hand as I saw him play White City Stadium in May 1974 , a day before
my 15th birthday...a girl fan was crushed to death due to security unable to cope with the crowd.
I also him play a couple of times later on in his career.

Tuesday 21 November 2017...6.45pm to 10pm...
ROSEWOOD HOTEL CHRISTMAS PARTY - 252 High Holborn, London WC1.
This is the venue where i have attended HARVEY WEINSTEINS mega BAFTA party every Feb
for the last few years but i presume they will not be having any in the future.
I went this great party last year so i know it is going to be very good here.
Around 500 guests outdoors in the courtyard with heaters ,in this stunning five star luxury hotel.
It looks amazing as there are Christmas trees and other things making it look very Christmassy.
We had a trio called Wandering Hands who played 30 mins of cover versions.
Last year ELLIE GOULDING performed four songs and this year at 8.10pm NICOLE SCHERZINGER
performed four songs.
Nicole looks stunning as always whatever she wears.
Nicole sung four Christmas songs 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', 'Little Drummer Boy',
'Santa Baby' and 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'.
On the roof after her set there was a full fireworks display which was excellent.
Complimentary Ruinart champers, vodka cocktails, wines, beers and lots of food including
Cheeseburgers, Hog Roast rolls, Scotch eggs, mushroom risotto, soup, donuts and toffee apples.
www.rosewoodhotels.comVisit their website here for more info on their hotels.

Tuesday 21 November 2017.
70's tv star Likely Lad dies aged 79
British actor Rodney Bewes has died at the age of 79. Bewes, who found fame opposite James Bolam in BBC TV show The Likely Lads, died in Cornwall after being diagnosed with throat cancer, and according to his family 'remained upbeat throughout his illness'.

Monday 20 November 2017...6.45pm to 9pm...
MODERN BRITISH & IRISH ART BRITISH IMPRESSIONISM - private view , Christies, London SW1.
Over 300 guests at this massive display of paintings over all the levels of Christies.
Christie’s spotlights key British artists from the 19th century to the present day with a
series of sales dedicated to Modern British & Irish Art and British Impressionism.
The Modern British & Irish Art auctions explore the legacy of British and Irish artists throughout the 20th century, from L.S. Lowry’s industrial cityscapes to Peter Blake’s pioneering pop art. Alongside an online sale, Modern/British Art, which brings together prominent U.K. artists at accessible price points, the Day and Evening Sales feature striking works from artists including Ben Nicholson, Richard Hamilton, Barbara Hepworth and Graham Sutherland alongside sculptures by Henry Moore, Eric Gill and Dame Elisabeth Frink.
You can view the paintings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytime with the auction at 7pm on Wednesday.
Complimentary Taittinger champers, Gin & Tonics and some very tasty canapés for all guests.
www.christies.com---Visit the Christies website here for more info.

Sunday 19 November 2017...I went to two events tonight...
1.15pm to 3.30pm
Musicmania Record Fair at Olympia, West London.
A great place to buy bootlegs ,vinyl , CDs, rarities, posters , memorabilia etc.
Today was the second of the two days of this popular record fair.
Nice to meet up with lots of friends and dealers here.
Around 50 stalls mixing £100 plus items with the cheaper bargain items.
I got several items here including a Marc Bolan triple vinyl album box set for only £5.
Paul Cook (drummer with The Sex Pistols & The Professionals ) was there on Saturday.
Paul was on a stand at lunchtime signing copies of the new Professionals album and other stuff.
Paul was on Eddie Locks stand who had loads of great Sex Pistols items for sale.
He had pre-signed Professionals cd albums signed by Paul Cook for £17.
Sex Pistols- God Save The Queen - original on A& M - 7 inch vinyl - £12,500
Steve Jones one off designer stage jacket - £1200
Vivienne Westwood original cheesecloth shirt - £1200
www.eddielock.co.ukVisit the Eddie Lock website here for more info on the items.
This fair was the LAST EVER at Olympia as they move to Victoria as it's cheaper to hire.
The next Victoria Fairs are 27 Jan , 28 April, 08 Sept.
www.vip-24.comVisit their website here for a list of their record fairs around the UK.
then
MR. BIG + THE ANSWER + FASTER PUSSYCAT live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
Mr. Big are on a UK tour to promote their new album 'Defying Gravity'.
I saw Mr Big headline Hammersmith Odeon in their heyday as well as when they supported
Aerosmith at Wembley Arena for two shows in 1993.
Mr. Big are best known in the UK for their No 3 hit in 1992 'To Be With You'.
I saw The Answer open for AC/DC on the 2008 and 2009 legs of the ' Black Ice ' World Tour, and was
probably the most worldwide exposure the band has received to date.
I first saw Faster Pussycat in 1987 when they supported Guns N Roses at Hammersmith Odeon.
--------------------------
A nice three band rock package from promoters Kilimanjaro and it's a near sell-out.
FASTER PUSSYCAT are already on stage when i enter the venue.
There are two versions of Faster Pussycat playing gigs.
This line-up features their original singer only plus other musicians.
All the band look the part and they were decent enough.
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THE ANSWER arrived on stage at 7.50pm and play for around 50 mins.
The Answer from Belfast are a great band who deserve bigger success.
Their vocalist is a top notch blues rock singer.
They played an AC/DC cover in tribute to Malcolm and George Young.
A really good set.
Full setlist played tonight...
Solas
On and On
Preachin'
Faith Gone Down
Spectacular
Strange Kinda' Nothing
If You Want Blood (You've Got It) (AC/DC cover)
Come Follow Me
--------------------------
MR.BIG arrived on stage at 9pm and play a nice long set of around 2 hours 5 mins.
Mr.Big split up for a bit but have all come together again after a successful Japanese tour.
There were quite a few Japanese in the crowd tonight.
All four original members are on stage but the original drummer is playing just basic percussion after
being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and the replacement tonight and for the entire world tour
is Matt Starr, who is also the drummer for Ace Frehley (KISS).
The singer Eric Martin said "we have been looking forward to this London show for soooo long".
Mr.Big really were on top form tonight with great songs and great harmonies.
Highlights included seeing the wizardry of Billy Sheehan (bass guitar ) and Paul Gilbert (lead guitar) both
playing amazingly all night and both played superb solos.
For the opening song Paul Gilbert used an electric drill to play his guitar.
Highlights included 'Just Take My Heart', 'To Be With You' and '1992'.
A great show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
American Beauty
Undertow
Alive and Kickin'
Temperamental
Just Take My Heart
Take Cover
Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
Everybody Needs a Little Trouble
Price You Gotta Pay
Guitar Solo (including AC/DC guitar riffs medley)
Open Your Eyes
Wild World (Cat Stevens cover)
Damn I'm in Love Again
Rock & Roll Over
Around the World
Bass Solo
Addicted to That Rush
To Be With You
1992
Colorado Bulldog
Defying Gravity
30 Days in the Hole (Humble Pie cover) (with Cormac Neeson from The Answer)

Saturday 18 November 2017.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE + BRONCHO live at Wembley Arena, London.
QOTSA play the first of two big arena shows in London...also Tues 21 Nov at The 02 Arena.
03 Sept update---QOTSA soared to the top of the album charts in Sept for the first time
with their seventh studio LP ‘Villains’, clocking up 32,000 sales in its first week.
Grammy award winner Mark Ronson produced the album.
Support band Broncho play their own London headline show at The Lexington on 25 Nov.
Broncho are an indie rock band from Oklahoma.
Broncho have released three albums.
QOTSA singer Josh Homme married singer and musician Brody Dalle (The Distillers) in 2007.
They reside in Palm Springs, California, and have three children together.
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Support band BRONCO played for around 40 mins.
Their set was mix of grunge and punk that was decent enough.
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A nice touch during the interval as they played all AC/DC tracks over the pa in tribute to Malcolm Young R.I.P.
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QOTSA played a nice long set of around 2 hours 10 mins.
A nice stage production with two big screens, lots of lights and a dozen poles that would light up and were
on springs so the band were kicking them ,smacking them and elbowing them for good effect.
Josh Homme is one of the coolest rockers out there as he smokes a few fags through the show and
after a few songs has a dig at the security shining torches on girls who get on their partners shoulders
telling them "This is my show and they can do whatever they want , because tonight you work for me".
Cue big cheers and for the next song there were 50 people on shoulders.
Their new album tracks certainly have the feel of rock songs you can dance to.
Plenty of great tunes from their 20 year career including 'No One Knows', 'Little Sister' and
rockin' versions of 'Go with The Flow' and 'Feel Good Hit of The Summer'.
A great show.
Full setlist played tonight...
If I Had a Tail
Monsters in the Parasol
My God Is the Sun
Feet Don't Fail Me
The Way You Used to Do
You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, but I Feel Like a Millionaire
No One Knows
Avon
The Evil Has Landed
I Sat by the Ocean
Smooth Sailing
Domesticated Animals
Make It Wit Chu
I Appear Missing
Villains of Circumstance
Little Sister
Sick, Sick, Sick
Go With the Flow
Encore:
Head Like a Haunted House
Feel Good Hit of the Summer
A Song for the Dead

Saturday 18 November 2017.
Another shock rock n roll death to report.
AC/DC's co-founder and creator MALCOLM YOUNG has died aged 64.
The legendary guitarist passed away surrounded by family, following a long battle with dementia.
He was best know for being the driving force behind the band he co-founded with his younger brother Angus.
He wrote the band's material and came up with many of their biggest and best guitar riffs.
In April 2014 it was announced that he would take a temporary leave of absence to receive treatment for dementia, before retiring permanently in September that same year.
He was replaced by his nephew Stevie for the band’s last tour promoting the 2014 album Rock Or Bust, with his blessing.

Saturday 18 Nivember 2017.
On Thursday Deep Purple recorded a show at The BBC Theatre (same night as Alice Cooper at Wembley)
You can now watch it on the BBC Red Button & iPlayer.
A good bit of promo to sell a few more extra tix in time for their UK shows this coming week.

Friday 17 November 2017.
Look at this amazing bunch of gigs i went to 42 years ago this month in 1975 when i was aged just 16.
All were at 'my local' - The Hammersmith Odeon (now called The Hammersmith Apollo).
18 Nov 1975---Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (legendary first ever Bruce show in the UK)
23 Nov 1975---Blue Oyster Cult
24 Nov 1975---Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
29 Nov 1975---Queen
30 Nov 1975---Queen
01 Dec 1975---Queen
02 Dec 1975---Queen

Thursday 16 November 2017.
ALICE COOPER + THE MISSION + THE TUBES live at Wembley Arena, London.
Alice Cooper is on a five date UK arena tour in November.
Alice Cooper's show will feature Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith from his Original 70s Band
who will play on stage with him for the last few songs.
'Paranormal' is the 27th studio album by Alice Cooper, released on July 28, 2017.
A nice three band package from promoters AEG.
I have seen Alice Cooper over 20 times with the first being at this very same venue back in 1975.
I saw The Mission a couple of times back in 1993.
I have seen The Tubes several times since 1977 when they headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
Check out their anthem 'White Punks on Dope' on YouTube.
Singer Fee Waybill starred in the 1982 cult film 'Ladies and Gentlemen , The Fabulous Stains'
alongside Steve Jones and Paul Cook which was made just after The Sex Pistols split up.
While some bands like Alice Cooper retain their popularity it's a bit sad to see
The Tubes relegated to being first on out of a three band bill.
A little story about Fee Waybill when he did a signing at Virgin Records, Marble Arch in the late 70s.
I went along with my 12 inch version of 'White Punks on Dope ' to be signed (which I still have).
He had a bit of an outrageous stage persona so he asked me "who shall i sign it to?" and I told him
"to Ray and say something rude"...and I got the record back wondering what he had written.
I looked at it and it said "To Ray...say something rude"....well I did ask for that i suppose.
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There are half a dozen unsold blocks at the band but most folks are in early to see The Tubes.
Alice Cooper is one of those acts that never has a big screen.
THE TUBES arrived on stage at 7pm and played for around 40 mins.
Back in the day The Tubes, like Alice Cooper always put on big theatrical shows.
Singer Fee Waybill is still a tall gangly front man who makes an effort with costume changes.
Being first on they have a few lights but their show feels a bit restrained.
Still it was great to hear some of their old gems and for the last two songs Fee is dressed as
his glam rock nightmare that is Quay Lude - all 8 foot of him stumbling around for stunning versions
of 'White Punks on Dope' and 'Talk to ya Later'.
I must try and see one of their own headline club shows.
Full setlist played tonight...
She's a Beauty
TV Is King
Mr. Hate
Amnesia
What Do You Want From Life?
Prime Time
Love's a Mystery
White Punks on Dope
Talk to Ya Later
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THE MISSION arrived on stage at 8pm and played for around 50 mins.
Pretty amazing that The Mission started in 1986 and are still going strong.
They are given more lights that The Tubes and they sound louder too.
Wayne Hussey is still fronting them and they played many of their best known songs.
They had a few of their own fans down the front but their songs were a bit samey.
It was telling that there best song was a Neil Young cover.
They haven't got a tune as good as 'White Punks on Dope', that's for sure.
Full setlist played tonight...
Tower of Strength
Beyond the Pale
Like a Hurricane (Neil Young cover)
Severina
Like a Child Again
Butterfly on a Wheel
Met-Amor-Phosis
Wasteland
Deliverance
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Over 20 photographers are in the stage pit including Ross Halfin.
ALICE COOPER arrived on stage at 9.20pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
Alice Cooper is now 69 but still looks the same as he did in the 1970s ( must be that black mascara).
Non stop touring every year means we have a well rehearsed top notch theatrical show.
His young energetic band feature three guitarists including a nifty blonde female (Nita Strauss).
The usual props are here costume changes, fake blood, pyros, guillotine , strait jacket , Frankenstein etc.
It was really great to see the three original members from his 1970s band on stage for five songs.
Loads of great songs played although no room on this tour for 'Hello Hurray' and 'Elected'.
Alice Cooper shows are always excellent to watch.
Full setlist played tonight...
Tape - Spend the Night intro
Brutal Planet
Under My Wheels
Lost in America
Pain
Department of Youth
The World Needs Guts
Woman of Mass Distraction
Guitar Solo (Nita Strauss)
Poison
Halo of Flies
Drum and Bass solo
Feed My Frankenstein
Cold Ethyl
Only Women Bleed
Paranoiac Personality
Ballad of Dwight Fry
Killer (partial)
I Love the Dead
I'm Eighteen (with original Alice Cooper Band)
Billion Dollar Babies (with original Alice Cooper Band)
No More Mr. Nice Guy (with original Alice Cooper Band)
Muscle of Love (with original Alice Cooper Band)
School's Out (with original Alice Cooper Band) (with 'Another Brick in the Wall Part 2' snippet by Pink Floyd)
(This last song was the only song where both the new and old line-up played on stage together)

Wednesday 15 November 2017...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.45pm
HARPER'S BAZAAR - 150 Visionary Women at Work - Sotheby's , New Bond Street, London W1.
Harper's Bazaar magazine is celebrating 150 years.
Harper's Bazaar is an American women's fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper's Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for "women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture"
Aimed at members of the upper-middle and upper classes, Bazaar assembles photographers, artists, designers and writers to deliver perspectives into the world of fashion, beauty and popular culture on a monthly basis.
Around 200 guests are here with at least 75% being females who were very stylishly dressed.
Well known names that have made their list include Victoria Beckham, Samantha Cameron,Clare Balding,
Tracey Emin,Thandie Newton, Emma Thompson , Kate Winslet.
None of the above names were here but few others were.
New mother Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turned heads as she arrived in a sequined grey blazer dress. The British born, LA based model joined actress Joely Richardson, socialite Sabine Getty and broadcaster Eunice Olumide .
Also Roksanda Ilincic, Anya Hindmarch,Maggi Hambling, Sandra Choi, Alison Loehnis and Christina Lamb.
At 7.20pm the CEO and editor gave a 15 mins speech about some of the women on the list.
Complimentary Taittinger champers, vodka cocktails, gin cocktails and canapés.
www.harpersbazaar.comVisit the Harper's Bazaar website here for more info.
then
9.15pm to 11.30pm
THE PILGRM - launch party - 25 London Street, Paddington, London W2.
Steps from Brunel’s Paddington station, boutique hotel The Pilgrm is an ode to old-world craftsmanship and heartfelt hospitality. Beginning its new life with a journey inwards, the building was stripped back to its original state, shedding years of paint and plasterwork to re-expose its shapely bones. Most of what’s been added has been made bespoke – using materials hand-picked for their tactile qualities – or reclaimed, as in the case of the cast-iron radiators and 200-year-old mahogany parquet. Having joined forces with local businesses like Monocle magazine (there’s an issue in each room), the hotel is also woven into the fabric of the neighbourhood – one that's long been associated with characters of wit and creativity.
The hotel has undergone a £3.5 million pound refurbishment with luxury Tom Dixon carpets and it looks stunning.
A welcome addition to an area with many average resting places as this hotel is more stylish than the rest.
Very much a 'tardis' type building as it's a smallish entrance but it covers four town houses joined together.
I was given a tour of the three sizes of rooms (they have 73 rooms in the hotel).
I had a nice chat with the founder Andreas (this is his seventh hotel).
There is a cool lounge bar and kitchen on the first floor.
Designed to resemble a sophisticated drawing room, it serves food and drink all day with a menu that pokes its nose into all corners of the world’s gastronomy. Think everything from dolcelatte cheese toasties to kimchi rice with tea-poached egg, via cured meats from London producer Canon & Canon.
Complimentary prosecco, a choice of three cocktails, wines, beers and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure with a few items in.
www.thepilgrm.comVisit THE PILGRM website here for more info and to book a room.

Wednesday 15 November 2017.
A rediscovered painting by Leonardo da Vinci broke the record for an artwork at auction,
selling for $450.3 million at Christie’s in New York on Wednesday.
The 500-year-old “Christ as Salvator Mundi,” which had been estimated at $100 million, was the highly anticipated star of Christie’s evening sale of postwar and contemporary art -- an unconventional move by the auction house because of its vintage. The previous auction record for an Old Master painting was held by Peter Paul Rubens, whose “The Massacre of the Innocents” fetched $76.5 million in 2002.

Wednesday 15 November 2017.
Happy Birthday to PETULA CLARK who is 85 today.
Her career spans an incredible several decades which includes her first time
playing The Royal Albert Hall in 1944...yes 1944.

Tuesday 14 November 2917...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 9.15pm
FORTNUM & MASON present Ice Skating - VIP launch party - at Somerset House, Strand , London WC2.
A massive event as there must get at least 500 here on the guest list.
Lorraine Pascale, Laura Whitmore, Daisy Lewis, Donna Air and Amber Le Bon put their ice skates on for Somerset House's annual VIP ice rink launch party. Wrapped up warm in coats, muffs, hats and scarves, Rosie Fortescue, Charlotte Wiggins, Sienna Guillory, Tom Parker-Bowles, Kathy Lette, Eve Delf, Sam Rollinson and Luther's Indira Varma also put their ice-skating skills to the test while Tamara Beckwith, Gary Kemp and Charlotte Randall brought their kids along and Eliza Cummings arrived with her beloved pet dog in tow. Inside the Fortnums and Mason-sponsored lounge, Alistair Guy, Lilah Parsons, Pips Taylor, Meredith Ostrom, Marissa Montgomery and sisters Melissa and Jasmine Hemsley kept warm.
None of us went skating but a lot of people did.
There was a group of singers singing Christmas songs.
Guests enjoyed lots of complimentary food and drink that was all from Fortnum's.
Fortnum's champers, cocktails, wines, mulled wine and lots of different food from food stations.
All guests got a Fortnum's goodie bag with biscuits, jam, marmalade and loose tea.
www.somersethouse.org.ukVisit their website for more info and to buy tickets.
then
10pm to 12pm
CARTIER 27th RACING AWARDS at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
Around 300 guests here in black tie who were seated at the tables.
We arrived after the dinner to watch the awards being given out.
Many of the awards went to top performing horses...who were not here to collect.
ENABLE was crowned the Cartier Horse of the Year at the 27th annual Cartier Racing Awards.
Enable recorded five consecutive Group 1 victories in 2017, finishing her season with a stunning victory in the
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly.
The three other Cartier Horse of the Year nominees were Cracksman, Ribchester and Ulysses.
Legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute was here to pick up the main 'Award Of Merit'.
Jockey Frankie Dettori was here with his wife.
Complimentary wines, coffees and Petit Fours for all guests after the awards had finished.
All guests got a copy of the following days Racing Post that had a big feature on the awards.

Monday 13 November 2017.
PROPHETS OF RAGE live at The Forum, London.
I saw them play a great show at Brixton Academy a few months ago.
In September their debut album went in the charts at number six.
Prophets of Rage is an American rap rock supergroup. Formed in 2016, the group consists of three members of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave (bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk), two members of Public Enemy (DJ Lord and rapper Chuck D), and rapper B-Real of Cypress Hill.
---------------------------------
8.50pm DJ Lord plays a 20 mins set of tunes and does a good job to warm up the crowd.
We get some Black Sabbath, White Stripes and Nirvana classics.
PROPHETS OF RAGE arrive on stage at 9.10pm and play for around 95 mins.
They arrive on stage to air raid sirens and it's bedlam from the start.
I am upstairs looking down on the floor standing area which is a mass of bouncing heaving bodies.
Near me is legendary live music booking agent Rod MacSween who books Prophets and many more.
His fellow ITB booking agent Steve Zapp (Biffy Clyro and others) was also here.
This is politically charged rabble-rousing rap-rock of the finest quality.
New album tracks like 'Unfuck The World' mix in well with the older classics.
Tom Morello has his guitar up high on his chest as usual and plays some nifty guitar.
He says "it's great to back at this venue that we played in 1992 when our debut album came out".
Tom introduced his guitar tech who was there in 1992 and is still tuning Tom's guitar.
Tom plays the guitar with his teeth for one song and on the reverse of the guitar it says 'Fuck Trump'.
Final song was the anthem 'Killing in the Name ' which was amazing.
An excellent show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Prophets of Rage (Public Enemy cover)
Testify (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Take the Power Back (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Living on the 110
Hail to the Chief
Guerrilla Radio (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Fight the Power (Public Enemy cover)
Harder Than You Think / Dr. Greenthumb / Can't Truss It / Insane in the Brain / Bring the Noise / I Ain't Goin' Out Like That / Welcome to the Terrordome / Jump Around
Sleep Now in the Fire (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Like a Stone (Audioslave cover) (instrumental) (with the crowd singing all the lyrics)
Know Your Enemy (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Bullet in the Head (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Radical Eyes
Unfuck The World
How I Could Just Kill a Man (Cypress Hill cover)
Bulls on Parade (Rage Against the Machine cover)
Killing in the Name (Rage Against the Machine cover)